U.S. patent application number 10/539849 was filed with the patent office on 2006-05-11 for location-based mobile service provision.
This patent application is currently assigned to Motorola, Inc.. Invention is credited to Paul Stephens.
Application Number | 20060099963 10/539849 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 9950244 |
Filed Date | 2006-05-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060099963 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stephens; Paul |
May 11, 2006 |
Location-based mobile service provision
Abstract
A method (300) of providing location based services using a
wireless communication system (100, 200) that facilitates
communication to and/or from a plurality of communication units
(250-262). The method includes the step of transmitting a wireless
message (220), from a mobile service provider (112) to a number of
communication devices in a location (210). The wireless message
indicates a service to be provided by the mobile service provider
(112) at the location (210). This enables mobile service providers
to enhance their business via their mobile communication device,
i.e. advertise their services to a geographically near, group of
users. Preferably the recipient group of users have previously
subscribed to, or registered their interest in, the services
provided by the mobile service provider.
Inventors: |
Stephens; Paul; (Berkshire,
GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MOTOROLA INC
600 NORTH US HIGHWAY 45
ROOM AS437
LIBERTYVILLE
IL
60048-5343
US
|
Assignee: |
Motorola, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
9950244 |
Appl. No.: |
10/539849 |
Filed: |
December 5, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
December 5, 2003 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP03/50951 |
371 Date: |
June 20, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/456.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 4/06 20130101; H04W
48/10 20130101; H04W 4/029 20180201; H04W 4/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/456.3 |
International
Class: |
H04Q 7/20 20060101
H04Q007/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 20, 2002 |
GB |
0229921.2 |
Claims
1-31. (canceled)
32. A method of providing location based services by a mobile
service provider using a wireless communication system that
facilitates communication with a plurality of communication units,
the method comprising: providing location information, via a mobile
communication unit adapted for use by the mobile service provider
of at least one of a current location of, and a location to be
visited by, the mobile service provider to an intermediate device;
and initiating the transmission of a wireless message, by the
intermediate device in dependence on the location information
provided by the mobile service provider, to a number of
communication devices in the at least one of the current location
of, and the location to be visited by, the mobile service provider,
wherein said wireless message indicates a service to be provided by
said mobile service provider at the at least one of the current
location of, and the location to be visited by, the mobile service
provider.
33. The method according to claim 32, wherein the initiating the
transmission of a wireless message step comprises transmitting a
wireless message to a number of communication devices in a
predetermined location when the location information indicates the
mobile service provider has at least one of moved into and is
approaching the predetermined location.
34. The method according to claim 32, further comprising:
registering an interest in said service by a number of
communication devices; and identifying the communication devices
that have registered an interest in said service and that are
located in the at least one of the current location of, and the
location to be visited by, the mobile service provider, such that
said wireless message is transmitted to said communication
devices.
35. The method according to claim 34, wherein registering an
interest in said service by said number of communication devices is
specific to at least one of a particular geographic location and a
location identified by a postcode.
36. The method according to claim 32, wherein said wireless message
includes contact details for said mobile service provider, the
method further comprising: receiving said wireless message at a
number of communication devices; and contacting, by one or more
users of said communication devices, said mobile service provider
in response to receiving said wireless message.
37. The method according to claim 32, further comprising:
broadcasting, by said intermediate device, a message to said number
of communication units within a location area indicating an
availability of said mobile service provider.
38. The method according to claim 34, further comprising: accessing
a database, by said intermediate server, to identify a group of
users that have registered an interest in said service provided by
said mobile service provider.
39. The method according to claim 38, wherein said database
contains location information for a number of said users such that
one or more of said user are informed by said serving intermediate
device when said mobile service provider enters at least one of a
communication cell, a geographic area, and a post code area
matching said location.
40. The method according to claim 34, wherein registering an
interest in said service comprises: subscribing, by a user
interested in said service provided by said mobile service
provider, to at least one of a network operator and a wireless
service provider operating said serving intermediate device, such
that information relating to said service is communicated to said
subscribed user.
41. The method according to claim 32, further comprising: accessing
a database, by said mobile service provider, wherein said database
identifies a group of users in a location that have registered an
interest in said service provided by said mobile service provider;
downloading a list of said group of users; moving into said
location by said mobile service provider; and transmitting a
wireless message to a number of said group of users directly by
said mobile service provider based on said downloaded list.
42. The method according to claim 32, the method further
comprising: polling a number of communication devices in at least
one of the same geographic area and cell where said mobile service
provider is located to determine whether any of said polled
communication devices have registered an interest to use a service
offered by said mobile service provider.
43. The method according to claim 32, further comprising: notifying
said number of communication devices in a location of at least one
of an event and an availability of said service at said location,
via a short message service (SMS) message.
44. The method according to claim 32, wherein the transmission of a
wireless message to a number of communication devices is sent at
least one of: (i) intermittently, (ii) periodically, and (iii)
during low traffic periods to utilize less expensive calling
rates.
45. The method according to claim 37, wherein broadcasting a
message of said availability of said mobile service provider (112)
is sent at least one of: (i) intermittently, (ii) periodically, and
(iii) during low traffic periods to utilize less expensive calling
rates.
46. The method according to claim 37, wherein the transmission of a
wireless message is sent on the same wireless communication system,
as said step of broadcasting a message of said availability.
47. The method according to claim 37, wherein broadcasting a
message of said availability is sent on an adjunct communication
system to the communication system facilitating the transmission of
a wireless message.
48. The method according to claim 37, wherein at least one of said
intermediate device, and a device operably coupled thereto,
authenticates said mobile service provider prior to broadcasting
said service of said mobile service provider.
49. The method according to claim 32, wherein providing location
based services by a mobile service provider using a wireless
communication system that facilitates communication is implemented
at least in part using a storage medium storing
processor-implementable instructions adapted to control a
processor.
50. The method according to claim 32, wherein the wireless
communication system is one of a UMTS communication system, a GSM
communication system, a GPRS communication system, and a Bluetooth
communication system.
51. The method according to claim 32, wherein the mobile
communication unit of the mobile service provider is one of: a
cellular phone, a portable radio, a mobile radio, a personal
digital assistant, a laptop computer, and a wirelessly networked
PC.
52. A mobile communication unit for use by a mobile service
provider, comprising: a processor; and a transmitter, operably
coupled to and responsive to said processor, wherein said processor
is configured to provide location information of at least one of a
current location of, and a location to be visited by, the mobile
service provider to initiate transmission of a wireless message to
a number of communication devices in a location, where the location
corresponds to the at least one of the current location of, and the
location to be visited by, the mobile service provider, and wherein
said wireless message indicates a service to be provided by said
mobile service provider in said location.
53. The mobile communication unit according to claim 52, wherein
said mobile communication unit is adapted to function as a mobile
service provider advertising device and said wireless message
includes one or more of the following: mobile service provider
contact details, a service provided/offered by a user of the mobile
communication unit, a communication cell or geographical location
of, or to be visited by, the mobile communication unit.
54. The mobile communication unit according to claim 52, the mobile
communication unit further comprising a receiver and a memory unit,
operably coupled to said processor, said receiver arranged to
receive a list of subscriber groups that have registered an
interest in the service offered by the mobile service provider in a
particular geographic area or communication cell, and said memory
unit is configured to store said received list.
55. The communication unit according to any of claim 52, wherein
the communication unit is one of: a cellular phone, a portable
radio, a mobile radio, a personal digital assistant, a laptop
computer, and a wirelessly networked PC.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to location based mobile service
provision in existing or future wireless, or integrated wireless
and fixed, communication systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Wireless communication systems, for example cellular
telephony or private mobile radio communication systems, typically
provide for radio telecommunication links to be arranged between a
plurality of base transceiver stations (BTSs) and a plurality of
subscriber units, often termed mobile stations (MSs).
[0003] The communication link from a BTS to a MS is generally
referred to as a down-link communication channel. Conversely, the
communication link from a MS to a BTS is generally referred to as
an up-link communication channel.
[0004] In a wireless communication system, each BTS has associated
with it a particular geographical coverage area (or cell). The
coverage area is defined by a particular range where the BTS can
maintain acceptable communications with MSs operating within its
serving cell. Often these cells combine to produce an extensive
coverage area.
[0005] Wireless communication systems are distinguished over fixed
communication systems, such as the public switched telephone
network (PSTN), principally in that mobile stations move between
coverage areas served by different BTS (and/or different service
providers) and, in doing so, encounter varying radio propagation
environments.
[0006] Recently, in the areas of cellular mobile communication
systems, there has been a significant interest in third generation
(3G) location based service provision. The proposals within the 3G
communicaitons standards environment have focused on providing a
variety of services to a roaming MS in a particular geographical
area or communication cell. In particular, when a MS enters an area
or cell, the MS receives services and information targeted at
individual MS within that geographic area or cell. This is a
valuable and desirable concept to MS users, so that they can be
provided with all of the information they want or need, whenever
and wherever they want or need the information.
[0007] Location Based Services today, are focused on filtering a
database of information for the specific needs of MS users in a
specific Cell. They are all based on the premise that the service
is static.
[0008] An important feature of many applications, which operators
and vendors are actively exploring, is location based service
delivery. These services can include location-specific information
such as listing restaurants in the area of the serving cell and
community services.
[0009] In the field of this invention, International Patent
Application WO 02/49386 A1 by Ericsson.TM., titled "Method and
Apparatus for Location Based Services in a Cellular Communications
System" describes one mechanism for location-based service
provision. In this document, an interactive response node
communicates between a user, a location retrieval function and a
mobile switching centre (MSC) to control the location-based
services that are delivered to the user by the MSC. In this manner,
a location of the MS is determined, and services specific to the MS
are provided to the roaming user based on its location.
[0010] The inventor of the present invention has recognised that
all of the known location-based services are focused on the
provision of services to the roaming mobile communication unit. In
this regard, the inventor has appreciated that significant and
numerous opportunities exist by viewing location-based services in
an alternative manner.
[0011] Thus, in the field of the present invention, an opportunity
has been recognised and appreciated to provide an enhanced
provision of location-based services wherein the abovementioned
limitations are alleviated.
STATEMENT OF INVENTION
[0012] In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a method of providing location based services, as
claimed in Claim 1.
[0013] In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a storage medium storing processor-implementable
instructions, as claimed in Claim 18.
[0014] In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a communication system, as claimed in Claim
19.
[0015] In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a mobile service provider, as claimed in Claim
21.
[0016] In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a server, as claimed in Claim 23.
[0017] In accordance with a sixth aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a communication unit, as claimed in Claim 24.
[0018] In accordance with a seventh aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a Mobile Services Manager function, as
claimed in Claim 28.
[0019] Further aspects of the present invention are as claimed in
the dependent claims.
[0020] In summary, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of
the present invention, the inventive concepts described herein
reverse the current methodology on location-based service
provision. In this regard, a communications opportunity for a
Service provider that is mobile is described. In contrast to known
location-based services, which assume that when a mobile
communication unit moves into an area it is able to receive
services applicable to that mobile communication unit in that area,
the present invention starts from the premise that the mobile
communication unit, or particularly its user, provides the service
in that location.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be
described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0022] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a communication system that
can be adapted to support the various inventive concepts of a
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 2 shows a functional block diagram of location-based
service provision and advertising in accordance with various
inventive concepts of a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a mobile service
provision mechanism in accordance with various inventive concepts
of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and
[0025] FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of a wireless communication
unit adapted as a mobile service provider in accordance with the
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] Referring first to FIG. 1, a cellular-based telephone
communication system 100 is shown in outline, in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the invention. In the preferred embodiment
of the invention, the cellular-based telephone communication system
100 is compliant with, and contains network elements capable of
operating over, a universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS)
and/or a general packet radio system (GPRS) air-interface.
[0027] In particular, the invention relates to the Third Generation
Partnership Project (3GPP) specification for wide-band
code-division multiple access (WCDMA) standard relating to the
UTRAN radio Interface (described in the 3G TS 25.xxx series of
specifications developed by the European Telecommunications
Standards Institute (ETSI)).
[0028] A plurality of subscriber terminals (or user equipment (UE)
in UMTS nomenclature) 112, 114, 116 communicate over radio links
118, 119, 120 with a plurality of base transceiver stations,
referred to under UMTS terminology as Node-Bs, 122, 124, 126, 128,
130, 132. The system comprises many other UEs and Node Bs, which
for clarity purposes are not shown.
[0029] The wireless communication system, sometimes referred to as
a Network Operator's Network Domain 110, is connected to an
external network 134, for example the Internet. The Network
Operator's Network Domain (described with reference to both a
3.sup.rd generation UMTS and a 2.sup.nd generation GSM system)
includes: [0030] (i) A core network, namely at least one Gateway
GPRS Support Node (GGSN) 144 and/or at least one Serving GPRS
Support Nodes (SGSN); and [0031] (ii) An access network, namely:
[0032] (ai) a GPRS (or UMTS) Radio network controller (RNC)
136-140; or [0033] (aii) Base Site Controller (BSC) in a GSM system
and/or [0034] (bi) a GPRS (or UMTS) Node B 122-132; or [0035] (bii)
a Base Transceiver Station (BTS) in a GSM system.
[0036] The GGSN/SGSN 144 is responsible for GPRS (or UMTS)
interfacing with a Public Switched Data Network (PSDN) such as the
Internet 134 or a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) 134. A
SGSN 144 performs a routing and tunnelling function for traffic
within say, a GPRS core network, whilst a GGSN 144 links to
external packet networks, in this case ones accessing the GPRS mode
of the system
[0037] The Node-Bs 122-132 are connected to external networks,
through base station controllers, referred to under UMTS
terminology as Radio Network Controller stations (RNC), including
the RNCs 136, 138, 140 and mobile switching centres (MSCs), such as
MSC 142 (the others are, for clarity purposes, not shown) and SGSN
144 (the others are, for clarity purposes, not shown).
[0038] Each Node-B 122-132 contains one or more transceiver units
and communicates with the rest of the cell-based system
infrastructure via an I.sub.ub interface, as defined in the UMTS
specification.
[0039] Each RNC 136-140 may control one or more Node-Bs 122-132.
Each MSC 142 provides a gateway to the external network 134. The
Operations and Management Centre (OMC) 146 is operably connected to
RNCs 136-140 and Node-Bs 122-132 (shown only with respect to Node-B
126 for clarity). The OMC 146 administers and manages sections of
the cellular telephone communication system 100, as is understood
by those skilled in the art.
[0040] A location registry function 180, comprising home location
register and visitor location register details is shown at a high
level in the system architecture, so that the location information
is system-wide. A skilled artisan would appreciate that the
location registry function 180 may, in alternative embodiment, be
operably coupled to lower level elements such as the SGSN 142, 144,
a GGSN not shown or the OMC-146.
[0041] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, one or more
roaming UEs 112-116 have been adapted/re-configured as a service
provider instead of as a service recipient. In this regard, the
roaming UE is able to offer, and provide, services to other users,
for example other users within a particular geographical area who
have expressed an interest in the services offered.
[0042] In a passive mode of operation, the UE of the Service
Provider, say UE 112, is configured to monitor its location. UE 112
then updates a mobile services manager 190, preferably located
within the location registry function 180, with updated location
information at regular intervals, or when a change in location has
been determined. In an alternative implementation, the Service
Provider's UE has been adapted to store limited details of
subcribers. Furthermore, in such an implementation, it is envisaged
that the UE is able to directly control forwarding of
notifications, when the UE determines that it is in the default
location area for those subscribers. Further improvements to the UE
are described with reference to FIG. 4.
[0043] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention a new
function, a Mobile Services Manager function 190, is introduced to
act as a repository for the sevice profile information provided by
the Mobile Service Provider. Although the Mobile Services Manager
function 190 is shown as part of the location registry function
180. it is within the contemplation of the invention that the
Mobile Services Manager function 190 may be located elsewhere
within the system, for example operably coupled to cell or site
specific devices, where the service to be provided is specific to a
particular area.
[0044] It is envisaged that the Service Provider (UE user) is able
to activate or deactivate his/her service in the Mobile Services
Manager function 190. When activated, the Service Provider is able
to set the notification profile, which determines when subscribers
are notified of the Service Provider's proximity or arrival. In the
preferred embodiment of the present invention, the Service Provider
is provided with the ability to effect such changes through WEB or
WAP pages. The Mobile Services Manager 190 also stores the
subscriptions of the service users that subcribe to the service, as
described later.
[0045] An example of such a service is a tradesman visiting a
particular geographical area. Whilst performing a service in the
area, it is cost effective to such a service provider to perform
further services or make other calls in the same area even, for
example, advertising or cold-calling calls. In accordance with the
preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mobile service
provider's UE is configured to advertise the mobile Tradesman's
service prior to, or whilst visiting, the communication cell or the
local geographic area. Other users in the same communication cell
or geographic area are advantageously informed of the availability
of the service whilst the mobile service provider is active in the
area.
[0046] Another advantageous example of applying the inventive
concepts herein described is in the case of a mobile canteen/food
wagon visiting an industrial estate. When the mobile canteen
service is planning to visit particular communication cell, the
mobile service provider preferably informs a server supporting the
cell, for example a server integral within, or operably coupled to,
the serving Node-B. The server then transmits details of the
service offered, i.e. the menu, to users (preferably subscribed
users). Subsequently, the users are notified when the mobile
service provider has reached their location.
[0047] A further envisaged example is conference calling. By
enabling a mobile communication unit as a mobile service provider,
i.e. one that provides conference calling, a presenter at a
conference can hold an interactive debate and share data directly
in a manner similar to Net-meeting.TM..
[0048] From a subcription perspective, the mobile service could be
made globally available, only to become active when the Provider is
in the same Cell or location as the service subcribers.
Alternatively, subscription may not become visible until the
Provider is actually in the same Cell as the prospective
recipients. In the case of the conference presenter, the
interactive conference service may be made available to everyone in
the In-Building Cell. It is then envisaged that this service could
include a feed of the conference audio, a feed of translated audio,
interactive voting opportunities and a reverse audio capability
(i.e. the ability to use one's phone to address the
conference).
[0049] A yet further example of the application of the
aforementioned inventive concepts is in the application to
community transport timetables, for example relating to trains or
buses. In this context, people who are waiting for buses or trains
are provided with the opportunity to dynamically check the likely
arrival time of the service at their location.
[0050] Clearly, a skilled artisan would appreciate the vast array
of applications and opportunities that are made available to users
through the inventive concepts described herein. In this regard,
the examples provided above highlight only a snapshot of these.
[0051] In principle, in the preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the mobile service provider's UE sends data to update a
remote web server with information relevant to the service that is
being provided. The communication to/from the web server is
performed via the PSTN/PDN/SS7 external network 134. In accordance
with the preferred embodiment, a number of communication unit users
who are interested in the service preferably subscribe to the
service. It is envisaged that the network operator may obtain
significant revenues from a large number of subscriptions relating
to a variety of services. Such subscribers may be users of other
UEs that are operational in the same geographical area as the UE
service provider.
[0052] A list of service subscribers, for the various services
supported, is maintained preferably in a memory element or database
operably coupled to, or integral with, any appropriate network
element. In this manner, the respective network element has to
ensure notification of specific service events or the availability
of the service at the respective location identified by the roaming
service provider. The assumption is that the service provider
information is updated dynamically according to the location of the
roaming mobile service provider.
[0053] It is envisaged that such notification of specific events,
or the availability of the service at the respective location,
could be activated on at least two levels: [0054] (i) When the
Service provider is in, or has indicated a subsequent visit to, the
cell area. In this manner, the notification could be performed
using a cell broadcast; and/or [0055] (ii) When the Service
provider moves into, or approaches, a particular post code, the
notification could be provided to the user via a short message
service (SMS) message. In this regard, it is envisaged that the
user would have provided their post code to, say, the web server,
when subscribing to the service. Alternatively, the location of the
mobile service provider is continuously updated with the geographic
location, preferably translated to a postcode, to assist with a
postcode-based trigger of the SMS.
[0056] Referring now to FIG. 2, a functional block diagram 200 of
location-based service provision and advertising is shown, in
accordance with various inventive concepts of a preferred
embodiment of the present invention. For example, the service
provision message from the service provider is ultimately delivered
to a plurality of user equipment (UE). The plurality of user
equipment have preferably previously registered an interest in,
and/or subscribed to, the service offered by the mobile service
provider 112.
[0057] In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present
invention, a user of a UE, for example UE-1 112, wishes to
advertise his/her services as a mobile service provider. In this
regard, the mobile service provider 112 transmits a mobile service
provision message 220 to an intermediate device, preferably to a
web-server 230 or Node-B or base transceiver station. Such a
transmission occurs on an uplink channel.
[0058] The web-server 230 receives the mobile service provision
message 220, and accesses a database (not shown) to identify a
group of UE users 250-262 that have registered an interest in,
and/or subscribed to, such a service. Preferably, the group of UE
users are geographically near to the mobile service provider 112,
for example located within the same cell 210 as shown in FIG. 2.
The web-server then broadcasts 240 a message identifying the
availability of the mobile service provider 112 within that cell
210 or geographical area.
[0059] By combining WEB and Cell Broadcast services, the mobile
service provider can continuously update a web server. The WEB
server, in turn, provides updated service information to those
subscribed UEs in respective cells/local geographical area who have
previously subscribed to the service. In this manner, when a
subscriber's current location is included in the database
information, the subscriber is alerted directly when the mobile
service provider enters their geographic or postcode area.
[0060] It is envisaged that the broadcast message may be a downlink
message communicated in the same wireless communication system. For
example, the server may be a message serving unit or function
contained within one or mode Node Bs, i.e. one or more Node Bs
122-132 of FIG. 1 transmitting a broadcast message on a downlink
channel corresponding to the uplink channel used by the mobile
service provider.
[0061] In an alternative embodiment, it is envisaged that the
broadcast message may use a fixed communication system for
broadcasting the availability of the mobile service provider 112,
for example by sending email notifications to subscribers
registered within a particular geographical area or post code.
[0062] In a further alternative embodiment, it is envisaged that
the mobile service provider 112 may transmit a service provision
advertisement message directly to subscriber UE's that have
previously registered an interest in the service offered by the
mobile service provider. In this regard, it is envisaged that the
mobile service provider 112 may have `downloaded` a list of service
subscribers prior to travelling to the geographic area 210. In this
manner, the UE of the mobile service provider 112 may be configured
to transmit automatically a "mobile service availability" message
270, 272 to UEs identified from the list, as soon as the mobile
service provider 112 moves into that location.
[0063] In a yet further embodiment of the present invention, it is
envisaged that a discovery (polling) and coordination protocol may
be utilised, for example on a short-range adjunct (Bluetooth.TM.)
channel. In this regard, the mobile service provider, after moving
into the area, is able to poll other UE devices in the same
geographic area (or cell). In this manner, the mobile service
provider determines whether any of the UE devices have registered
an interest within, say, their UE profiles to use the services
provided by the mobile service provider 112. If a number of UE
devices indicate that they have registered such an interest, the
mobile service provider 112 may then co-ordinate the responses to
determine whether it is worth broadcasting a service availability
message, either to a local server or individually to the respective
UE devices. Such a broadcast, or number of indivdual transmissions,
may take place during the mobile service provider's periods of
inactivity on its primary-communciation UMTS system.
[0064] It is envisaged that such broadcast messages may be sent
(either from a server or the mobile service provider) on an
intermittent basis, or periodically, or during low traffic periods
to utilise less expensive calling rates. Once the mobile service
provider 112 has broadcast the service availability message, each
of the receiving UEs 250-262 preferably log the fact that a
particular mobile service provider has entered the area. Should the
user of any of the UEs 250-262 subsequently desire the service
provided by the mobile service provider 112, they are able to
search their individual UE databases for the contact details of the
mobile service provider, and contact the provider directly.
[0065] Referring now to FIG. 3, a flowchart 300 of a preferred
operation of the mobile service provider is illustrated.
Preferably, the mechanism operates using a list of users, for
example mobile users having UE, that have previously subscribed
to/registered an interest in a particular service, as shown in step
305. The preferred embodiment of the present invention operates on
a location-based premise; for example, when the subscribed mobile
is located within a particular area or cell, as in step 310.
[0066] A mobile service provider preferably registers their
services with the network, as shown in step 315. In this manner,
the network is able to perform checks on the service provider to
authenticate that the mobile service provider is qualified to offer
the identified service to its users. Once registered, the network
provider may advertise the service as being one supported by the
network, for example by advertising the service on a World Wide Web
page and/or a wireless access protocol (WAP) page, as shown in step
320.
[0067] In one embodiment of the present invention, the mobile
service provider may access the network in step 325 and download
details of the currently active subscribers, as shown in step 330.
The mobile service provider is then able to determine whether the
geographical area/cell has the potential to fulfil his/her business
interests. If it does, the mobile service provider may enter the
geographic area/cell in step 335. Once located within the
geographic area/cell, the subscribed UEs are informed that the
service provider is in the area, in step 340. If the user of the
subscribed UE wishes to utilise the service offered, the user
preferably contacts the mobile service provider in step 345. It is
envisaged that the contact details are preferably sent with the
notification of the mobile service provider's availability.
[0068] A skilled artisan would appreciate that a number of the
aforementioned steps are optional and/or could be performed in a
different order. A few examples of re-ordering of steps include:
[0069] (i) The mobile service provider may access the network and
download maps of active subscribers after registration, perhaps
before the mobile service providers service has been advertised via
a broadcast message. [0070] (ii) If a discovery and coordination
embodiment was followed, there is no requirement for the users to
subscribe to the mobile service, and a polling exercise could be
followed.
[0071] For multi-mode communication units, for example applicable
to 3G systems, it is envisaged that such service provision could be
dedicated to one mode of operation. For example, if the UEs
operating in a given cell are capable of both UMTS and bluetooth
operation, it is envisaged that the service provider broadcasts
could be sent out on one or more Bluetooth.TM. channels. It is
envisaged that a protocol would preferably be developed to support
the broadcast of mobile service providers using the short-range
Bluetooth communication system, preferably configured as an adjunct
channel. Alternatively, for example, if the UE is capable of UMTS
and GSM operation, the service provision broadcast could be sent
out as a short data message service (SMS) transmission on the GSM
channels, whilst the higher rate UMTS channels are used for primary
traffic communications.
[0072] Referring now to FIG. 4, a block diagram of a mobile service
provider's communication unit is illustrated, for example a user
equipment (UE) 112 of FIG. 1. The UE 112 is adapted to support the
inventive concepts of the present invention.
[0073] As known in the art, the UE 112 contains an antenna 402
preferably coupled to a duplex filter or antenna switch 404 that
provides isolation between receive and transmit chains within UE
112.
[0074] The receiver chain includes scanning receiver front-end
circuitry 406 (effectively providing reception, filtering and
intermediate or baseband frequency conversion). The scanning
front-end circuit 406 scans for signal transmissions from its
associated Node B, for example enquiries from subscribers of the
mobile service provider's service. The scanning front-end circuit
406 is serially coupled to a signal processing function (processor,
generally realised by a DSP) 408. The final receiver circuits are a
baseband back-end circuit 409 operably coupled to a display unit
410.
[0075] In accordance with the registration aspect of the present
invention, the receiver chain 410, in particular the signal
processing function 408, coupled to the baseband back-end circuit
409, receives a notification from a network operator, web server,
or similar network/communciation provider that a request to
regisiter the mobile service provider's services has been
accepted.
[0076] For completeness, a controller 414 is preferably operably
coupled to the scanning front-end circuitry 406 so that the
receiver can calculate receive bit-error-rate (BER) or
frame-error-rate (FER) or similar link-quality measurement data
from recovered information via a received signal strength
indication (RSSI) 412 function. The RSSI 412 function is operably
coupled to the scanning front-end circuit 406. In this manner the
mobile service provider's UE operates as a standard UE device, as
well as supporting the service provision mechanism herein
described.
[0077] The memory device 416 stores a wide array of UE-specific
data, such as decoding/encoding functions, timing details,
neighbour and serving cell information relating to timing,
channels, power control and the like. In addition, the memory unit
416 has now been adapted to store a list of subscribers that have
registered an interest in the service offered by the mobile service
provider in a particular area/cell.
[0078] A timer 418 is operably coupled to the controller 414 to
control the timing of operations, namely the transmission or
reception of time-dependent signals, within the UE 112. For
completeness, in broad terms, the transmit chain of the UE 112
essentially includes an input device 420, such as a microphone,
coupled in series through a processor 408, transmitter/modulation
circuitry 422 and a power amplifier 424. The processor 408,
transmitter/modulation circuitry 422 and the power amplifier 424
are operationally responsive to the controller, with an output from
the power amplifier coupled to the duplex filter or antenna switch
404, as known in the art.
[0079] The signal processing function 408, controller 414 and
memory device 416 have been adapted to effect an uplink
transmission of the mobile service provider's contact details,
service provided/offered, geographical location, etc. to a
web-server or other broadcast element.
[0080] The signal processor function 408 in the transmit chain may
be implemented as distinct from the processor in the receive chain.
Alternatively, a single processor 408 may be used to implement
processing of both transmit and receive signals, as shown in FIG.
4.
[0081] Of course, the various components within the mobile service
provider's communication unit 112 can be realised in discrete or
integrated component form, with an ultimate structure therefore
being merely an arbitrary selection.
[0082] More generally, adaptation of UE 112 to support the
aforementioned the mobile service provider messages in the
preferred embodiment of the present invention may be implemented in
a respective communication unit (UE) in any suitable manner. For
example, new apparatus may be added to a conventional communication
unit (for example UE 112), or alternatively existing parts of a
conventional communication unit may be adapted, for example by
reprogramming one or more processors therein. As such the required
adaptation may be implemented in the form of
processor-implementable instructions stored on a storage medium,
such as a floppy disk, hard disk, PROM, RAM or any combination of
these or other storage multimedia.
[0083] Although the preferred embodiment of the invention is
described with reference to a wireless communication device such as
a mobile phone employing a UMTS air-interface, it is envisaged that
the aforementioned wireless communication device in the preferred
embodiment of the present invention may, in alternative
embodiments, be any one of: a cellular phone, a portable or mobile
radio, a personal digital assistant, a laptop computer or a
wirelessly networked PC.
[0084] Furthermore, it is within the contemplation of the invention
that the inventive concepts described herein can be applied to any
fixed or wireless communication system, and are thus not limited to
third Generation Cellular data networks. For example, it is
envisaged that the location-based mobile service provider mechanism
may be capable of operation with the global system for mobile
communications (GSM) or the general packet radio system (GPRS) or
the integrated Digitally Enhanced Network (iDEN.TM.) provided by
Motorola.TM..
[0085] In particular, it is within the contemplation of the
invention that such communications may also utilise an adjunct
communication channel, for example, a bluetooth short-range radio
connection. It is also envisaged that any network server may be
configured to support the coordination of mobile service provider
information and messages, with a web-based server described as a
preferred option.
[0086] It will be understood that the mechanism for location-based
services to be initiated via an uplink transmission from a mobile
communication unit, as described above, provides at least the
following advantages: [0087] (i) An opportunity for service
providers to enhance their business via their mobile communication
device, i.e. advertise their services to a geographically near,
group of users. Preferably the recipient group of users have
previously identified themselves as interested in the services
provided by the mobile service provider. [0088] (ii) Expand the
concept of Location Based Services to conference facility use as
described previously. [0089] (iii) Expand the concept of Location
Based Services at major events, such as major sporting events,
where many of the available services are not fixed to a specific
venue, but are mobile and provide everything from catering to
entertainment at many different venues.
[0090] Whilst the specific, and preferred implementations of the
embodiments of the present ivention are described above, it is
clear that variations and modifications of such invnetive concepts
could be readily applied by one skilled in the art.
[0091] Thus, a method of providing location based services and a
mobile service provider have been provided where the limitations
associated with prior art location-based approaches have been
substantially alleviated.
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